In publicly disputing the Speaker's ruling in rejecting the motion by DAP MP for Seputeh Teresa Kok to adjourn Parliament to discuss the constitutional muddle created by Rais over the appointment of the new Attorney-General as a matter of urgent definite public importance, Rais was exposing the Speaker to public ridicule and contempt for giving all the wrong reasons for his ruling.
Going by Rais' logic in giving notice for the motion to suspend the DAP MP for Batu Gajah Fong Po Kuan by six months and stripped of all parliamentary allowances for criticising the Speaker for rejecting her motion of urgent, definite public importance in connection with the multi-layered CLP examination scandal, then Rais should be suspended as a Cabinet Minister for six months for a similar parliamentary offence.
Or are there double standards in Parliament, where Ministers and Barisan Nasional MPs can criticise the ruling of the Speaker but not an Opposition MP?
A motion to suspend Rais for six months as Minister for publicly criticising the Speaker should be tabled and debated in Parliamennt tomorrow, if Rais insists on having his motion against Fong debated and decided.
This can be done either by way of a new motion or by way of an amendment to Rais' motion against Fong to include a six months' suspension on Rais as Cabinet Minister for the same offence.
(10/12/2001)